DoD's $19.7M contract for scientific research awarded to Scientific Research Corporation, spanning over 4 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,146,406 ($12.1M)

Contractor: Scientific Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2000-09-19

End Date: 2004-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,564 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200012!5700!000331!GM04 !AAC/PKZA BLDG 350 !F0863597D0017 !A!*!0037 !20000919!20041231!197138274!197138274!197138274!N!0D5A6!SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATIO!2300 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY, !ATLANTA !GA!30339!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !0001!+000000835000!N!N!000000000000!B513!FEASIBILITY STUDIES (NON-CONSTRUCTION) !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!5!B!M!*!B!A!*!A !N!U!2!010!F!* !Z!N!Z!* !* !N!B!N!Z!*!B!A!A!A!* !*!N!A!B!N!*!*!*!*!*!

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.1 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: 200012!5700!000331!GM04 !AAC/PKZA BLDG 350 !F0863597D0017 !A!*!0037 !20000919!20041231!197138274!197138274!197138274!N!0D5A6!SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATIO!2300 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY, !ATLANTA !GA!30339!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MAD… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for feasibility studies, indicating a focus on early-stage research and development. 2. The contract was competed, suggesting a degree of market engagement and potential for competitive pricing. 3. A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type was used, which can incentivize cost control while allowing for flexibility in research scope. 4. The contract duration of over 4 years suggests a significant, long-term research objective. 5. The contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with performance likely in Alabama. 6. The contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically scientific research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of $19.7 million over approximately 4.3 years averages to about $4.6 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar feasibility studies in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, it's challenging to definitively assess value for money. However, the CPFF structure requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable relative to the research outcomes. The number of bids received (3) is moderate, which might suggest some competition but not a highly saturated market.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons. Three bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition. The exclusion of sources could potentially limit the breadth of innovative approaches or cost efficiencies that might have emerged from a wider pool of bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition, with 3 bidders, suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from some price discovery, but the exclusion of sources might have prevented even more competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, which receives scientific research and feasibility studies to advance its technological capabilities. Services delivered include research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to new technologies or improved existing ones. The geographic impact is primarily in Alabama, where the contract performance is noted, supporting local technical and scientific workforce. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at Scientific Research Corporation and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' requires scrutiny to ensure the exclusion criteria were justified and did not unduly limit competition.
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type necessitates robust oversight to manage costs effectively and prevent potential overruns.
The specific nature of 'feasibility studies' can sometimes lead to scope creep if not tightly managed, impacting overall value.
Limited public information on the specific research objectives makes it difficult to assess the direct impact and success metrics.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating that multiple firms were considered.
The duration of the contract suggests a commitment to a significant research endeavor, potentially leading to impactful advancements.
The contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, has a track record that can be reviewed for performance on similar contracts.
The contract falls under a standard NAICS code for R&D, suggesting it aligns with established government research priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). This sector is crucial for innovation and technological advancement across various government agencies. Spending in this area is often characterized by long-term investments, specialized expertise, and a focus on future capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other R&D contracts awarded by the DoD or other agencies for similar scientific research services.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication that this contract involved a small business set-aside. The contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, is a large business. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they are not detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent of any subcontracting efforts and the specific areas of work delegated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Accountability measures are built into the CPFF contract structure, requiring the contractor to justify costs. Transparency is generally limited for R&D contracts due to the sensitive nature of the research, but contract award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Scientific and Technical Services Contracts
Feasibility Study Contracts
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts
Air Force Research Laboratory Contracts

Risk Flags

Competition Exclusion Clause
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Oversight
Scope Creep Potential in R&D

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.1 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION. 200012!5700!000331!GM04 !AAC/PKZA BLDG 350 !F0863597D0017 !A!*!0037 !20000919!20041231!197138274!197138274!197138274!N!0D5A6!SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATIO!2300 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY, !ATLANTA !GA!30339!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !0001!+000000835000!N!N!000000000000!B513!FEASIBILITY STUDIES (NON-CONSTRUCTION) !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!5!B!M!*!B!A!*!A !N!U!

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-09-19. End: 2004-12-31.

What is the track record of Scientific Research Corporation on similar government contracts, particularly those involving R&D and feasibility studies?

Scientific Research Corporation has a history of performing various contracts, including those related to research and development. To assess their track record specifically for this type of work, a detailed review of their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) on similar DoD or other federal agency contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining ratings on technical execution, cost control, schedule adherence, and management. Without access to these specific performance records, it's difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their suitability and past success in delivering comparable feasibility studies.

How does the $19.7 million contract value compare to other DoD contracts for similar scientific research feasibility studies?

Benchmarking the $19.7 million value requires comparing it against contracts with similar scope, duration, and complexity within the physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D domain. The average annual value of this contract is approximately $4.6 million. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to analyze a dataset of recent DoD contracts for feasibility studies, looking at factors like the number of bidders, contract type (e.g., CPFF, cost-plus-award-fee), and the specific research areas. A higher number of bids and a lower average annual cost for comparable studies would suggest this contract might be on the higher end, while a lower number of bids and higher costs elsewhere might indicate this is within a reasonable range, especially if the research is highly specialized.

What are the key risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for scientific research, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as costs are reimbursed plus a fixed fee. This can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. For scientific research, another risk is scope creep, where the research objectives expand beyond the original intent, increasing costs and potentially delaying outcomes. Mitigation strategies include robust oversight by the government's COR, detailed work breakdown structures, regular progress reviews, strict change control processes, and thorough auditing of contractor expenditures. The fixed fee itself acts as a ceiling on the profit, providing some incentive for efficiency.

What specific scientific advancements or technological capabilities is this contract intended to support for the Department of Defense?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'FEASIBILITY STUDIES (NON-CONSTRUCTION)' within the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' category (NAICS 541710). However, the specific scientific advancements or technological capabilities are not detailed. Feasibility studies typically aim to determine the practicality and potential of a proposed project, technology, or system. For the DoD, this could range from exploring new materials for defense applications, assessing the viability of advanced sensor technologies, evaluating novel communication systems, or investigating potential breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or aerospace engineering. The exact focus would be defined in the contract's statement of work.

How has federal spending on scientific research and development (R&D) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences evolved over the period of this contract (2000-2004)?

The period of this contract, 2000-2004, falls within a time of significant federal investment in R&D, particularly following the dot-com bubble and leading up to and during the early stages of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Overall federal R&D spending generally increased during these years. The Department of Defense is consistently one of the largest federal funders of R&D. Spending in the physical, engineering, and life sciences is critical for national security, technological superiority, and addressing emerging threats. Trends during this period likely included a focus on defense modernization, counter-terrorism technologies, and advancements in areas like information technology and biotechnology, driven by both strategic priorities and economic considerations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2300 WINDY RIDGE PKWY SE, ATLANTA, GA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline